Running club donation makes 'huge difference' to charity

WOMEN Running Penarth took time out of pounding the pavements to present a £500 cheque to a local charity this week.

Erika Fitzgibbon, who organises and runs the Penarth-based club, handed over the cheque to the Jamie Adamson Memorial (JAM) Fund charity on Wednesday, March 26.

It was a personal donation from Erika after the running club had previously made contributions to the charity that supports children with cancer and other serious illnesses.

Paul Adamson, who set up the charity in 2005, said: "The charity is tiny and this donation will make a huge difference to what we can achieve, so I would like to thank Erika and all the ladies at the club for their continued support."

The club members voted to select the JAM Fund as their annual charity for this year.

The JAM Fund runs in memory of five-year-old Jamie Adamson, who died in 2004 after a two year battle with cancer. The charity is run by Paul and Jamie's older brother Sam, along with three family friends who all volunteer their time free of charge.

Since it was establishment in 2005 the JAM Fund has raised £400,000, far exceeding what Paul thought was possible.

He added: "This is entirely due to the wonderful support we have received from people both in Wales, the UK and even as far away as Australia and Canada. “Legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard even travelled from the USA to lend his support, featuring on BBC television stating his reasons for being here in support of the charity.

“In the last two years, the charity has been able to assist six children in travelling to St Louis in America for medical procedures not available closer to home, one of whom featured on TV walking to school for the first time unaided, which made us very proud and happy.

“The JAM Fund also runs a static caravan holiday home in Pembrokeshire, which is offered free of charge to children from all over the UK for respite holidays.”

The Penarth Ladies Running Club currently boasts 129 members, but is always open to new joiners of all standards and abilities. The next intake for beginners is on April 7 and for details visit their website at http://www.womenrunningpenarth.org.uk/

Paul added the JAM Fund is also looking for runners to take part in this year's Cardiff Half marathon which takes place on October 5. The charity asks each runner to raise a minimum of £100 and provides team running vests and sponsorship forms.

Paul added: “Finally, a thank you to all those who have supported the charity in the past and good luck to Erika in this year's London Marathon!”

To contact Paul please email him at jamfund@sky.com and to view the charity website, which includes a page detailing how all funds have been spent, please visit http://www.jamfund.co.uk/